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Private Practice Review: "If You Don't Know Me By Now"

Punctuated by a slap in the face, this is how Addison’s mom, Bizzy, instructs her with regard to Susan's condition. Addison has dealt with high expectations her whole life, but the events of "If You Don't Know Me By Now" took it to new heights.

Susan battle with Stage 4 ovarian cancer comprised the bulk of last night's Private Practice, the first of 2011 (as was Grey's Anatomy). Addison said it was a lost cause, but with some coercion from Sam and an assist from Dr. Rodriguez, changed her tune.

Sam's "I have never ever seen you back away from a fight" quote struck a chord with Addy, who devised a plan to operate using a precision-cutting machine and heated chemo.

Dr. Rodriguez, of course, is skeptical. He's also in, obviously, because any excuse to be with Addy is a good one, right? That and the chance for pioneering medicine, of course.

The operation is a success, but that wasn't even the biggest shock of the evening. Having not received so much as a thank you, Addison goes to give Bizzy a piece of her mind.

Before she can, mom drops the bomb: “I’ve divorced your father and I’m marrying Susan.” Sometimes life throws at us more than we can bear, or at least process right away.

How Addison responds in the coming week will be interesting to see. It wasn't long ago she learned her mother hid her true self for so long. Now we're at the opposite extreme.

Meanwhile, Pete and Amelia run into an unusual roadblock in their efforts to treat Cory, a brilliant engineer whose brain is about to hemorrhage after a near-fatal car accident.

His wife, Patricia, doesn’t want any surgery done on him that will affect his mental capacity at all. That runs counter to the best intentions of Pete ... and Cory's mistress Janel.

She just wants him to live to see his child be born. This is awkward on so many levels. Pete's decision is made for him - or he makes it, more accurately - when Cory crashes.

After the surgery, which Patricia objected to but Pete did anyway, she doesn't even show up to see him. Only Janel does. Was she only married to his intellect this whole time?

This was one of the classic Grey's Anatomy / Private Practice cases where one doesn't entirely know how to react. You're happy he made it, but very sad on peripheral levels.

Speaking of mixed feelings, Violet's "journal" (an 837-page manifesto) has generated interest from a publisher. The memoir is great, but does she really want to share it all?

The attack she suffered was unspeakable, and Violet is having second thoughts about putting that out there. But Charlotte says it helped when Violet talked to her about rape.

Perhaps she might lend a hand to others, too. As she left to meet with the publisher and Pete said “Lucas’s mom is amazing,” tell us your eyes didn't tear up a little. Anyone?

Finally, a new stage of Charlotte's attack aftermath. The show is covering all the bases, from the police investigation to the victim's intimacy problems, and it's compelling.

Cooper tells Sheldon he wants to have sex. Sheldon is flattered (har har). On a serious note, they both know easing back into things with Charlotte is not going to be easy.

Charlotte appreciates how understanding and helpful he's trying to be - as opposed to the times he tries to solve everything at once and simply makes things worse instead.

Sadly, after she says they can give intimacy a try, she clearly can't yet. It's going to be a struggle for some time, as it undoubtedly is for real-life victims of such heinous acts.

Same goes for Cooper. Now he has doubts. While not comparable to enduring the assault first hand, it's been hard on Charlotte's partner too, which is important to recognize.

They're damaged, but fortunately, they still have each other. And friend chicken.

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To me the Dr Rodriguez/Addison flirtation seemed kind of forced. It makes him very unsympathetic that he pursues her even though she's in a stable relationship.For now I don't like him very much. Bizzy is horrible, but I'm looking forward to see this storyline developing.

Rita•January 11, 2011 16:33

Hi Jennifer, No worries. I watch PP because of Kate Walsh, and continuing from GA. I love her character in GA, but was getting a bit bored with PP esp in Season 2 & 3. Well, I hope Shonda surprises me in a nice way on Dr R, and come out with something a bit original, not recycled from GA story lines, to make him a permanent cast, and maybe AddiRod will happen.:) But I agree with all of you - no more cheating by Addi. Cheating by Sam? Ok by me :))

Eva•January 10, 2011 10:26

I agree Jennifer !I hope not cheater !

Jennifer•January 10, 2011 09:24

Rita, no disrespect but if you are thinking that Addie and Dr.R are going to become a couple you are greatly disappointed. He is only there for two more episodes to finish out the Susan/Bizzy story and then he is gone. And even if he were going to stay longer why would you want a man for Addison who obviously has no respect for her reltionship with Sam and boundaries? It is fine that he is attracted to Addison but the way he is openingly pursuing her without any regard for her current relationship says a lot about his character. And it's definitely not saying anything good. I'm hoping that the point of Dr.R is to show how much Addison has grown. I think if Addison backslides as a cheater again, it will be a disservice to the character, the fans and Kate Walsh who deserves to play more than the "cheater." Like Sheldon said it's time for Addison to "grow the hell up."

Rita•January 09, 2011 20:36

This show was fast becoming rather boring, and couples recycled. I like the new Dr R and his chemistry with Addie. She deserves her own man, not recycled ones from her colleaguees etc. I hope Dr R is unattached and her true calling. I'm wathing Private Practice again now that Dr R - Addie has shown me back the spice of Private Practice.

I completely loved Violet's storyline, and I am looking forward to seeing where it leads. I really loved that Pete was very positive about the book, only concerned on how going through with this could affect her life. I really loved that the minute she made her final decision and was ready to defend it if necessary, Pete completely supported it. The "Lucas' mom is amazing" has to be my favorite line in the episode :) I also really loved that Charlotte reached out and even thanked Violet for her help. I've missed seeing their friendship from late season 2 and season 3. It seemed like the minute Charlotte was back with Cooper, her and Violet's friendship just vanished into thin air, which sucked. So hopefully this means we can see more friendship scenes with the two of them later on...

yip•January 07, 2011 18:02

Good episode but has anyone else noticed that every single time this show has an asian female character, she is ALWAYS shown with a non-asian male? the poor asian male gets no respect in the U.S. and the asian female actresses are partly to blame for going along with the casting. If they had any racial pride (like black women do), they would start insisting that they be cast opposite an asian male love interest.

Jamie•January 07, 2011 17:55

Poor Addie. Kate Walsh and JoBeth William Bring It!

cconklin•January 07, 2011 16:05

i LOVED the fried chicken thing!!!!! love it, love it, love it. it's hard because these two are not the conventional couple who have regular DTR's and talk about their mushy feelings. They have sex. Which has been taken away from them. So what does Cooper do? Find the next thing that Charlotte loves, and shares it with her. loooooooove them!

Mary•January 07, 2011 15:50

I don't know why but the episode as a whole seemed to move very slow for me. There were parts that I loved. I loved seeing the Addie/Naomi freindship again. It's been far to long. I loved they way Sam is always there to support, comfort and standup for Addison. I loved the movement in Charlotte's and Cooper's story. I don't understand the need for Dr. Rod obvious attraction for Addison. I thought it distracted from the story of Addie/Bizzy and I think that is what made the episode not as enjoyable to me. As far as next week is concerned I hope Addison will show that she has grown like Shonda has said and not cheat. It is time for her to realize that she deserves to be happy and stop destroying her happiness the first chance she gets. She and Sam have a great relationshp. Dr. Rod is definitely not worth destroying it for.